TOMY Commemorates 20 Years of Pokémon; Debuts Exclusive Product at the 2016 International Toy Fair
Retailer-Exclusive Mythical Pokémon Figures and Plush to be Released Each Month in Honor of Milestone Anniversary
OAK BROOK, Ill., Feb. 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- TOMY International, the master toy licensee and distributor for Pokémon in categories including figures, figure accessories, plush, playsets and role-play, debuts its all-new line for one of the world's leading entertainment franchises. With 2016 marking 20 years of Pokémon, TOMY introduces commemorative products and celebrates this milestone with retailer-exclusive promotions throughout the year. On February 27, 2016 Pokémon celebrates 20 years since the first video games, Pokémon Red and Green, launched in Japan for the Game Boy system.
To celebrate, TOMY will release one retailer-exclusive Mythical Pokémon each month, from February to December 2016. In the Pokémon universe, Mythical Pokémon are considered extremely rare. Select Mythical Pokémon will be released as 8" plush in a special crushed velvet material, and as 2" pearlescent-finished figures with their own unique pearlescent-finished Poké Balls. In addition to the monthly Mythical Pokémon, various limited-edition Pikachu products will also be featured as retailer-exclusives throughout the year. TOMY's attention-to-detail and unique stylizing captures Pokémon in a line that offers something for every Pokémon fan.
"The Pokémon property is seeing incredible momentum at retail and the 20th anniversary will only add more excitement to the brand for 2016," said Shehnaz Safiuddin, Senior Vice President of Toy & Hobby at TOMY. "This year the Mythical Pokémon and retailer-exclusives will bring even more attention to the property and we're thrilled that we get to bring the incredible Pokémon to life in a variety of figures, plush and more."
"TOMY is giving fans a new way to celebrate 20 years of Pokémon," said J.C. Smith, Senior Director of Consumer Marketing at The Pokémon Company International. "Their Mythical Pokémon and Pikachu products are a great addition to this year's festivities."
Over the past 20 years, fans have discovered over 700 Pokémon characters while buying more than 275 million video games and 21.5 billion trading card games. To commemorate 20 years of Pokémon, classic video games Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue and Pokémon Yellow will come to the Nintendo 3DS on February 27, 2016. Additionally, Pokkén Tournament for the Wii U will launch on March 18, 2016. Pokémon GO, a ground-breaking mobile game that will encourage fans to search far and wide in the real world to discover Pokémon, launches later this year.
| Date |
Product |
Retailer |
| February 2016 |
2" Pikachu figure with Clip 'n' Carry Poké Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Pikachu Plush, in a special crushed velvet material
10" Pikachu Plush, in a special jacquard weave with a step-and-repeat Poké Ball and Pikachu pattern |
Toys "R" Us |
| February 2016 |
2" Mew figure with Great Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Mew Plush, in a special crushed velvet material 8" Pikachu Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Game Stop |
| February 2016 |
(2) Pikachu Figure 4 Pack, with special pearlescent finish
10" Pikachu Plush, in a special jacquard weave with a special step-and-repeat Poké Puff and Pikachu pattern |
Walmart |
| March 2016 |
2" Celebi figure with Great Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Celebi Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Toys "R" Us |
| April 2016 |
2" Jirachi figure with Premier Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Jirachi Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Toys "R" Us |
| May 2016 |
2" Darkrai figure with Premier Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Darkrai Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Game Stop |
| June 2016 |
2" Manaphy figure with Poké Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Manaphy Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Toys "R" Us |
| July 2016 |
2" Shaymin figure with Ultra Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Shaymin Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Toys "R" Us |
| August 2016 |
2" Arceus figure with Master Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Arceus Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Game Stop |
| September 2016 |
2" Victini figure with Master Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Victini Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Toys "R" Us |
| October 2016 |
2" Keldeo figure with Luxury Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Keldeo Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Toys "R" Us |
| November 2016 |
8" Genesect Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Game Stop |
| December 2016 |
2" Meloetta figure with Quick Ball, both with a special pearlescent finish
8" Meloetta Plush, in a special crushed velvet material |
Toys "R" Us |
About TOMY International
TOMY International (www.tomy.com) is a leading global designer, producer and marketer of a broad range of innovative, high-quality toys sold to preschoolers, youths and adults under the TOMY® and Ertl® brands as well as products for parents, infants and toddlers marketed under the The First Years®, JJ Cole® Collections and Boon® brands. TOMY International also markets its products under popular licensed properties such as John Deere, Pokémon, Chuggington, Sonic the Hedgehog, Lamaze, Zootopia, Inside Out, Miles from Tomorrowland, The Good Dinosaur, Winnie the Pooh, Princesses, Cars, Fairies and Toy Story, and other well-known properties. TOMY International's mission is to make the world smile. TOMY International reaches its target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia. TOMY International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based TOMY Company, Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code No. 7867). © TOMY
About The Pokémon Company International
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit http://www.pokemon.com/us/.
SOURCE TOMY International
Related Links
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article